Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM
Announced July 9, 2020
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM is a lightweight, compact, and affordable super-telephoto lens that makes long-range wildlife photography accessible to casual shooters. While it offers impressive reach and effective stabilization, its fixed f/11 aperture necessitates bright lighting conditions and limits autofocus performance to the center of the frame.
Weighted from 17 reviewer scores
Pros
- Compact, lightweight, and portable design
- Good image sharpness and optical quality
- Affordable price point for extreme telephoto reach
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Capable autofocus performance in good light
Cons
- Restrictive f/11 fixed aperture limits low-light use and requires high ISO
- Missing accessories like lens hood and rotating tripod collar
- Lack of weather sealing
- Autofocus area is limited to the center of the frame
- Long minimum focusing distance
- Launch price $899 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 800mm f/11
- Mount & coverage Canon RF Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS, 4 stops (CIPA)
- Close focus 6 m (0.14x)
- Filter thread 95mm
- Autofocus motor Stepping motor (STM)
- Weight & size 1260g · 101.6 x 281.8 mm (4.00 x 11.09 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 17 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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[It] may not suit high-end wildlife photographers, but for the rest of us [it] open[s] up a World that was literally out of reach.
- OpticalLimits 7/10
Despite the slow aperture, it can be surprisingly sharp.
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The Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM Lens is a small, light, affordable lens with a long super-telephoto focal length that is ideal for birds and wildlife. The narrow aperture is this lens's biggest drawback.
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The fact that the autofocus works quite well here makes me feel like the Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM can a very useful tool for the right kind of photographer so long as they bring reasonable expectations to the table [...]
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The lens offers great quality at a very reasonable cost and gets us affordably into long-range telephoto photography.
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It weighs in at 1,260g and measures 281.8mm in length when set to its "stored" retracted position, making it much lighter and much more compact than a comparable DSLR lens.
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I can tell you I'm pretty surprised with the results.
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At 1,260g, it’s perfectly viable for long periods of handheld shooting, aided by a highly effective optical image stabilizer.
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The Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM delivers extreme telephoto optics at a down-to-earth price, but even with a retractable design it's a big one to carry around.
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Where these lenses really shine is in the field with great, bright conditions where you can use low ISO and fast shutter speed.
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While dedicated bird photographers will likely want to save up for the considerably more expensive 600mm f/4 or 800mm 5.6, those who are more casual wildlife shooters [...] will be well pleased with the 800mm f/11.
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This ultralight and collapsible 800mm lens is so new and innovative that most people don't understand it yet.
- Focus Review 7.5/10
The Canon RF 800 mm F11 IS STM is a compact and light super-telephoto lens that also has a friendly price tag.
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I think if you're a beginner photographer and you want to take pictures of small birds or birds that are quite far away [...] I think the 800mm f/11 is the choice, the best choice you have.
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[I]t makes it really hard to recommend this lens when there are options that are above or slightly below the price point.
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But to anyone who wants to spend $1,000 or under on a lens like this, and you want to take photos of wildlife, you want to be able to experience how it is to take pictures with a telephoto lens, you're going to be very, very happy with this lens.
- KelbyOne Insider 90%
I found the Canon RF800mm F11 STM very comfortable to use and the results you can get are worth the affordable price tag.
